The Lenfest Center, located at 3890 N. 10th St. in Hunting Park, provides youth development programs for the community. Amos Huron is responsible for the growth and development of the Center, and says the first step is getting in touch with the neighborhood.
“It starts with getting a base. So I attend Hunting Park United meetings, reach out to members from Esperanza Health Services, or various Churches, and other organizations already doing great work with children,” Huron said.
The Lenfest Center does not have its own particular program, but Huron says it helps to facilitate already existing ones.
“Hunting Park already had a very vibrant youth development community, and we want to be a part of that,” Huron said. “We’re just trying to supplement the already great work that is being done.”
These community-driven programs are what Huron said he believes offer children the most.
“Organizations like these that are really operating at the grassroots are the hope for the future for neighborhoods like Hunting Park, and we’d love for them to utilize the space and resources we offer them to expand their number of children and activists.
One organization that utilizes the Lenfest Center for its after-school program is the Police Athletic League, or PAL. Here students are bussed to the Lenfest Center after school where PAL Officers provide guidance and mentorship.
Officer Phyllis Young of the Lenfest Police Athletic League said she feels the Lenfest Center provides the children with what they need to interact with the students.
“They provide a homework room, computer lab, library and a gym for us play with the children,” Young said.
As the school year comes to a close, Amos has been working on bringing in more programs to the Lenfest Center that engage children during the summer months.
I’m interested in knowing if you facilitate a program where speakers can talk with the children? I grew up in Hunting Park and I would enjoy “giving back”.
Thanks